Bony fish · Cypriniformes · Cyprinidae

Zebra Danio

Danio rerio

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

It is one of the most widely used model organisms in developmental biology and genetics worldwide, thanks to its rapid life cycle and transparent embryos, which let development be watched in real time.

Size

4 cm – 5 cm

Lifespan

1 years

Diet

Omnivore

Combines animal and plant food depending on availability.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Social structure

School

Gathers in coordinated schools, typical of fish.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

FreshwaterOmnivore Diurnal In schools Fish Freshwater

7countries10same family

Fun facts

It has a remarkable ability to regenerate heart tissue after damage.
It eats zooplankton, insects and plant matter.
It lives in shallow streams, rivers and floodplains of the Indian subcontinent.
regeneraciónIt is one of the most used fish in scientific research thanks to its ability to regenerate damaged heart tissue, something adult mammals cannot do.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - bony skeleton (fish)
Habitat & environment: Shallow streams, rivers and floodplains of the Indian subcontinent
Birth weight: Tiny on hatching from the egg
Size at birth: Tiny at hatching
Sexual maturity: ~75 days (the usual laboratory figure; from 10 weeks old in some studies)
Gestation / incubation: Extremely fast embryonic development, hatching in 48-72 hours
Litter / clutch size: 100 to 200 eggs per clutch (5-20 released at a time within a mating cycle)
Lifespan in captivity: 3.5 years on average in captivity (a record of up to 5.5-6)